Their first hit, "I'm Into Something Good", was produced by Mickie Most, reaching #1 in the UK (1963) and #13 in the US (1964). Other hits followed such as "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" (1965) and "I'm Henry VIII, I Am". The last was said at the time to be "the fastest-selling song in history". The band played on these singles but many of their subsequent singles employed session musicians, including Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, with contributions from the band. The band's singles were written by top songwriters of the day. Regardless of how the records were made, the guitar player, Lek Leckenby, was a gifted guitarist. Indeed, all the other members were capable players and Peter Noone was a charismatic front man. The band was nominated for two Grammy awards in 1965, both for "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter". Noone and the band deliberately emphasized their Manchester accents on the record, which was never intended to be a single.
Born in Manchester, England, Noone was a child TV star in Coronation Street and in other TV work. He was still only 15 when he achieved international fame as teenage heart-throb as leader of the Hermits.
Herman's Hermits, whilst hugely successful in the mid-1960s, never topped the British charts again after their first hit, "I'm Into Something Good". However, they had two US No. 1's with "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" and "I'm Henry the Eighth, I Am". The band disliked both songs, and never released them as singles in Britain. They appeared in several movies, including When The Boys Meet The Girls (1965) and Hold On! (1966). They also appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Dean Martin Show and The Jackie Gleason Show.
They enjoyed consistent success in Britain throughout the rest of the decade but they were even more popular in America for a while. Their hits continued until 1967's "No Milk Today". Soon, however, the Monkees had replaced Herman's Hermits as the simple pop rock act, and the Hermits' career declined. "There's a Kind of Hush (All Over the World)" engendered a revival, but the Hermits never again cracked the top 10 in the U.S. This song was, however, successfully covered by The Carpenters in their album "A Kind of Hush", released in 1976. The band continued releasing records throughout the 1970s with little success. In the end, Herman's Hermits were a band which were both blessed and cursed by the 'niche' in which originally they found success.
(Adapted from Wikipedia)
Museum
Herman's Hermits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I sleep but an hour or so
I smiled a little in the silence
Deciding on where to go
Meet me under the whale
At the Natural History Museum
I think that's where she said
A little bit sad about having to leave them
It's like a child I run
Don't do it if you don't want to
I wouldn't do a thing like that
No, don't do it if you don't want to
I wouldn't do a thing like that
So little do you think of beauty
Isn't it a shame what ho
Maybe you should go get your flowerin'?
And make all your troubles go
There she stood in drag
A looking cool in astrakhan
She's huggin' a little white dog
Said I looked like Peter Pan
And yawning in the sun
It's like a child I run
Don't do it if you don't want to
I wouldn't do a thing like that
No, don't do it if you don't want to
I wouldn't do a thing like that
Don't do it if you don't want to
I wouldn't do a thing like that
No, don't do it if you don't want to
I wouldn't do a thing like that
The song "Museum" by Herman's Hermits is a whimsical and carefree tribute to the joys of youth and the simple pleasures of life. The song opens with the singer describing his morning routine of drinking sweet wine for breakfast and only sleeping for an hour or so. He then reflects on a recent conversation he had with a girl, who suggested they meet at the Natural History Museum. The singer expresses a slight sadness at the thought of having to leave the museum but is ultimately excited to go there and run around like a child under the whale display. The second verse brings in a new character, a girl the singer encounters at the museum who is dressed in drag and holding a small white dog. She compliments the singer's appearance, comparing him to Peter Pan, and together they continue to explore the museum and enjoy each other's company.
The song's lyrics are carefree and playful, capturing the energy of youth and the wonder of discovery. The singer's descriptions of drinking wine for breakfast and running around the museum like a child evoke a sense of freedom and joy that is memorable and relatable. The lyrics also show a sense of spontaneity and a willingness to be open to new experiences, as seen in the singer's decision to meet the girl at the museum and engage with the other characters he meets there.
Line by Line Meaning
I drink sweet wine for breakfast
I am carefree and unconventional, choosing to indulge in my pleasures whenever I please
I sleep but an hour or so
I don't need much sleep, as I am always restless and eager to go out and explore
I smiled a little in the silence
I am content with being alone at times, finding peace and solace in silence
Deciding on where to go
I am always seeking new adventures and experiences, and am constantly weighing my many options
Meet me under the whale
Let us rendezvous at a specific place and time, where we will embark on our next journey
At the Natural History Museum
The whale mentioned earlier is located at this museum, and it serves as a point of reference for our meeting
I think that's where she said
I am not completely sure of the location, as I am relying on someone else's memory or directions
A little bit sad about having to leave them
I have formed a slight attachment to my current surroundings, and feel some reluctance in having to move on
Yawning in the sun
I am relaxed and at ease with the world around me, enjoying the warmth of the sun on my skin
It's like a child I run
I am youthful and energetic, running and playing with the carefree joy of a child
Don't do it if you don't want to
I would never force anything upon you, and would only want you to do what makes you happy
I wouldn't do a thing like that
I am a kind and considerate person, who would never intentionally cause harm or discomfort to anyone
So little do you think of beauty
You seem to be overlooking the beauty and wonder that surrounds us in the world
Isn't it a shame what ho
It is unfortunate that you are missing out on the beauty that I see all around us
Maybe you should go get your flowerin'?
Perhaps you should take some time to appreciate and revel in the beauty of nature and life
And make all your troubles go
Focusing on the beauty in the world can help to alleviate any worries or difficulties you may be facing
There she stood in drag
I encountered a woman who was dressed in a flamboyant and unconventional manner
A looking cool in astrakhan
She looked stylish and fashionable, wearing a type of fur called astrakhan
She's huggin' a little white dog
She had a small pet dog that she was embracing lovingly
Said I looked like Peter Pan
She made a comment about my youthful and playful demeanor, comparing me to the character of Peter Pan
And yawning in the sun
I am still feeling relaxed and carefree, enjoying the simple pleasures of life
It's like a child I run
I am still enjoying the freedom and joy of being young, and find myself running and playing like a child
Don't do it if you don't want to
I emphasize again that I would never force anyone to do something they are uncomfortable with
I wouldn't do a thing like that
I am a considerate and caring person, who would never intentionally cause harm or discomfort to anyone
No, don't do it if you don't want to
Please don't feel pressured or obligated to do anything you don't want to do
I wouldn't do a thing like that
I am a kind and compassionate person, who would never want to cause anyone any harm or distress
Don't do it if you don't want to
Once again, please don't feel obligated or pressured to do anything that you are not comfortable with
I wouldn't do a thing like that
I am a considerate and empathetic person, who always takes others' feelings and needs into account
Lyrics ยฉ Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DONOVAN LEITCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Mrs. Brown, You've Got A Lovely Daughter
A great and classic song by Herman's Hermits.